John Miller

Bay County Jail Information

How do I find out if someone is in the Bay County Jail?

Information pertaining to someone who is in custody can be obtained by going to the web site: vinelink.com or by contacting the Bay County Sheriff's Office at (989) 895-4067. Information pertaining to an inmate's previous incarceration will not be divulged without proper authority.

When are arraignments scheduled?

Arraignments are held at the Bay County Jail on Monday through Friday (except holidays) around 1:30 p.m., depending on the presiding judge's workload. Arraignments may be viewed at the Bay County Court Facility in the presiding judge's courtroom. All visitors to the court facility will be required to pass through a metal detector. Packages and briefcases will be x-rayed for weapons and explosives. Cell phones and lighters are not permitted in the Court Facility. Inmate court information can be obtained by going to the web site: baycountycourts.com.

How are bonds set?

The courts set prisoner bonds. Prisoners who are assigned a bond can be released provided the bond is paid and there are no other police agency holds on the prisoner. Information on a prisoners bond may be obtained by calling (989) 895-4066. Bond money may be provided at any time of the day in the form of a money order, certified check, or cash. If a money order or certified check is used, it must be made out to the prisoner. Personal checks are not allowed for the purpose of bonding a person. To utilize a bondsmen, check the yellow pages of the phone book.

When is an inmate going to be released?

All inmates are transported to and from the various courts simultaneously. When all arraignments are completed, the inmates are returned to the Law Enforcement Center. This process may take a couple of hours. If you arrive at the jail to pick up someone, anticipate a delay in processing. Prisoners being released are allowed to make a free local phone call in order to obtain transportation.

Can I contact an inmate?

You may contact an inmate only in letter form or through a scheduled visit. Inmates are not allowed to receive incoming phone calls. You may send a letter to a prisoner by addressing it in his/her name at:

[Inmate's Name]503 Third St.Bay City, MI 48708

All incoming letters are opened to check for contraband.

How do I post money to a prisoner's account?

You can deposit money in the Kiosk located in the front foyer of the Law Enforcement Center 24 hours per day. Monday through Friday. You will need the inmate's name.

Family and Friends can purchase up to $50.00 of hygiene items or undergarments for their inmate at cost per week by calling 1-888-634-0034.

You can deposit up to $150.00 by credit card per week into an inmate's Commissary account by calling 1-866-422-6833.

All credit card bonds are subject to a $10.00 + 8% processing fee. The maximum credit card bond that can be posted via kiosk is $1,500.00. The maximum bond that can

be posted via web is $1,000.00.

Undergarments

All undergarments will be purchased through commissary at our cost. The maximum is five white tee shirts, five white briefs, and five pairs of white socks, three white bras for females.

Clothing:

The jail will provide outer garments and bedding for prisoners while they are in jail. One set of street clothes will be accepted only for prisoners who are going to trial.

Phone Calls:

Prisoners are allowed to make one free phone call when arrested. Prisoners in general population have access to phones to make collect only calls from 6:30 a.m. until lock down each day. Prisoners are not allowed to receive incoming calls.

Visitation for prisoners:

Starting January 1st 2012. Visit times will be assigned on a first call basis to 989-895-4066. Visit call in times will be Monday through Thursday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Once the visits are made they will not be changed. Each prisoner is allowed up to three persons per visit. Each visit will be approximately 30 minutes in length and are non-contact. Visitors must be 17 years of age or older. All visitors must have proper government issued identification, and are to conduct themselves properly. Visitors whose conduct disrupts, will be asked to leave and may be banned from future visitation.Persons under the influence will Not be allowed to visit. Visitors are Not allowed to bring in: Cell Phones, Cameras, Purses, or Bags. Visitors Not complying with staff requests may be asked to leave and not permitted to return in the future. No items of property for prisoners will be allowed at this time. Prisoners must be in jail for seven days prior to being granted a visit.

The first letter of the inmate's last name determines his/her day of visitation.

Prisoners may release their personal property to a family member or friend at any time. The request must be in writing and the person authorized to pick it up must sign for the property. Prisoners being sent to prison are required to have a family member or friend pick up all their property prior to their departure. Prisoner property not picked up prior to their departure to prison will be destroyed.